Decomposition - glossary and references

A glossary of key words and definitions relating to decomposition, including a list of references used in researching material about decomposition.

aerobic - the ability of organisms or tissues to function only with the presence of free oxygen.
ammonia (NH3) - a colourless, pungent, water soluble gas made up of nitrogen and hydrogen.
anaerobic - the ability of organisms or tissues to function without oxygen.
biochemical pathway - chain of chemical reactions that occur in living things to produce a chemical compound.
instar- a stage in the development of an insect larva between two moults. Each species of insect has a fixed number of moults.
lactic acid - an organic acid produced in mammals during the breakdown of glucose when oxygen is in short supply.
mausoleum - an above-ground tomb.
ovipositor - a specialised organ for depositing eggs in female insects.

Anderson, G.S. 2000. Minimum and maximum development rates of some forensically important Calliphoridae (Diptera). Journal of Forensic Sciences. 45: 824-832.
Bornemissza, G.F. 1957. An analysis of arthropod succession in carrion and the effect of its decomposition on the soil fauna. Australian Journal of Zoology. 5: 1-12.
Fuller, M.E. 1934. The insect inhabitants of carrion: a study in animal ecology. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Bulletin No. 82. 63 pp.
Kamal, A.S. 1958. Comparative study of thirteen species of sarcosaprophagous Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera) I. Bionomics. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 51: 261-270.
Morovic-Budak, A. 1965. Experiences in the process of putrefaction in corpses buried in earth. Medicine, Science and the Law. 5: 40-43.
Rodriguez, WC. and Bass, WM. (1985). Decomposition of buried bodies and methods that may aid in their location. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 30: 836-852.
Spennemann, D.H.R and Franke, B. 1995. Decomposition of buried human bodies and associated death scene materials on coral atolls in the tropical Pacific. Journal of Forensic Science. 40: 356-367.